PREVENTING AND MANAGING HEAT STRESS

Preventing and Managing Heat Stress

With another scorching Australian summer predicted, it's imperative that measurements are in place to educate and prevent heat stress in employees.

Heat stress related illnesses can be prevented with the correct management program. With another scorching summer predicted for Australia, it is imperative that employers have in place or implement a suitable heat stress education and management program with appropriate breaks, a healthy diet, regular fluid intake and utilisation of appropriate protective clothing to avoid heat stress related illnesses in the workplace.

Current legislation does not indicate what the maximum temperature employees may be exposed to however Australian employers are required to provide, maintain and ensure that so far as reasonably practical, a safe working environment for employees and that all employers take practical steps to minimise the risk of heat hazards in the workplace environment.

Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to sufficiently cool itself down to maintain a healthy temperature. The body’s natural mechanism to combat increasing body temperature is to naturally cool itself down by increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface and sweating however in some cases, sweating isn’t enough to prevent body temperature from increasing.

Symptoms of Heat Stress

Confusion

Dark coloured urine (a sign of dehydration)

Dizziness

Fainting

Fatigue

Headache

Heat rash

Muscle or abdominal cramps

Nausea, vomitting or diarrhoea

Pale skin

Profuse sweating

Rapid heartbeat

Prevention of Heat Stress

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Also consider fluid and electrolyte replacement solutions such as Aqualyte. Avoid alcohol and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar.

Limit Physical Activity

Too much physical activity during a hot day can lead to heat stress. If possible, schedule hot jobs and activities to cooler parts of the day.

Acclimatisation

Acclimatise workers by exposing them for progressively longer periods to hot work environments.

Avoid Exposure to Heat

Stay out of the sun as much as possible and if you must be outdoors, remember to protect yourself. Don't forget to 'slip, slop, slap'.

Keep Your Energy Levels Up

Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads or similar.

Training and Education

Ensure that workers are well educated to recognise symptoms and treat symptoms of heat stress should they arise. In an emergency, call 000 or your local doctor.

Monitor Workers and Working Conditions

Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers as well as the general environment. Personal and area heat stress monitors are extremely useful to help prevent the onset of heat stress.

Stay Cool

Keep air circulating around you. Where possible, use air conditioning. Wet towels and cool showers are also advised to help keep your body temperature down.